43. Craig Johnson

After waiting in the wings for the last couple of years, Johnson makes his debut on the Power List by pulling off one of the major power plays of the year. When former state Sen. Michael Balboni waved goodbye to the electorate to take the top Homeland Security job in the state, Johnson quickly mobilized his base to ensure his position as the Democratic nominee. Then he united Tom Suozzi, Tom DiNapoli and Eliot Spitzer on one stage in an overwhelming show of support and turned out an incredible number at the polls to solidify his position in this former North Shore Republican stronghold.